Maria

Black-and-white photo of a home water birth with a mother, newborn baby, midwife, and surrounded by her other children.

After four hospital births, I wanted to give birth to my fifth child at home. I wanted to be assured of calm, familiar surroundings, as few interventions as possible, the option of a water birth, and above all the continuity and security of having a midwife with plenty of time, who knew me and had followed me throughout my pregnancy. Our son came into the world in the middle of our living room, surrounded by family. It became the most beautiful and empowering birth experience I have ever had.

Eva and OJ were an important part of the experience. They documented the birth so naturally and discreetly that I hardly noticed the camera, while their calm and presence gave me an enormous sense of security. I would never have wanted to be without Eva’s presence as a doula – she is truly worth her weight in gold!

Today, seven years later, the photos and film are a priceless gift. You forget so much, and you don’t take in everything during your own birth. Being able to relive those moments is absolutely amazing! Our youngest loves watching his own birth, and the memories give our children a natural and valuable insight into birth, the female body and the first days after birth.

Pregnant woman holding her belly while standing outdoors with a man in a backyard

I wanted to share our birth story because we need more stories that convey safety, strength and empowerment – not just fear and complications. I admire Eva and OJ’s dedication. They champion women’s right to informed choices and respectful care, while also shining a light on the shortcomings of today’s maternity and birth care. We need more people like them!

I am forever grateful that they became part of our story, and I warmly recommend them. ❤️

Black-and-white photo of a mother sitting in a birthing pool, holding her newborn baby, after giving birth at home.

Gallery

Black-and-white photo of a pregnant woman holding her belly while standing outdoors with a man.
Black-and-white photo of a woman crouching on a wooden deck beside a house while a man stands nearby
Black-and-white family scene with a pregnant woman standing while a child touches her belly in a living room
Black-and-white photo of a woman resting on her side in a birth pool, while her partner gently holds her hand.
Black-and-white photograph of a woman laboring in an inflatable birthing pool with her husband and a midwife supporting her.
Midwife assisting a woman during labor in an inflatable birthing pool while a partner provides support
Black-and-white photograph of a home water birth with a mother and newborn baby sitting in the birthing pool, surrounded by the father and other children in the family.
Black-and-white home birth scene with a mother holding her newborn in a birthing pool while two people support her.
Maria gave birth to her fifth child at home. The photographs shows her sitting in the birthing pool with her newborn baby, embraced by her eldest son and her partner
Black-and-white photo of a mother holding a newborn baby in a birthing tub
Black-and-white photo of a mother holding her newborn baby in a birthing pool.
Black-and-white portrait of a sleeping newborn baby wrapped in a soft blanket and held in a tight embrace.
Black-and-white photograph of a mother smiling while holding her newborn baby skin-to-skin in bed.
Black-and-white family portrait of a father holding a young child while three older children and a smiling mother with her newborn baby gather on a couch.
Black-and-white photo of a mother lying in bed with her newborn baby on her chest, while her young daughter leans in to cuddle and see her little brother for the first time.
Black-and-white photo of parents tenderly holding and looking at their newborn baby in bed
Black-and-white close-up of a newborn baby sleeping while wrapped in a soft blanket. 
Ingrids birth story →